Adrian Smith

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Chairman, I thank Mr. Davidson for his efforts. Mr. Chairman, I support this amendment. I hope that we can evaluate all of the programs that we have, coordinate among them, learn more about their effectiveness, and ultimately respect folks in need and do all we can that is appropriate to help lift themselves out of poverty.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment, although I am not opposed.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Chairman, I support this amendment. This amendment simply requires that the high-quality evaluations include measurements or how many recipients participated in an apprentice or career pathway program, and any credentials earned along the way. Earn-and-learn models--those where an individual is getting on-the- job experience, earning a wage, and learning new occupational skills-- are one of the best types of workforce development models the government can support. Apprenticeships, in particular, provide a combination of occupational on-the-job training and related instruction, helping to improve worker training and address critical skill gaps that align with the needs of industry. We know that the best way out of poverty is through work, and apprenticeships provide a pathway to obtaining a successful career. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment as well as the underlying bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment, although I am not opposed.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Chairman, I support this amendment. The first hearing I held as chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Resources was on the geography of poverty. People often think of poverty only as they see it in cities, not realizing poverty today is more common than ever in suburban and even rural areas. People also underestimate poverty in rural and remote areas, not knowing the rates of poverty in these areas have, for decades, been higher than in urban areas. This amendment ensures the Secretary takes into account rural areas and Indian Tribes when making recommendations on how to address employment-related challenges. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment as well as support the underlying bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and the underlying bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Chair, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 296.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the centennial anniversary of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation, our State's leading and largest farm organization. Since 1917, Nebraska Farm Bureau has been a grassroots, statewide organization led by farmers and ranchers who work to enhance and strengthen the lives of all Nebraskans. This Federation of 85 county farm bureaus has more than 61,000 member families in all 93 Nebraska counties. For 100 years, Nebraska Farm Bureau has united our State's farm and ranch families under a common banner, doing together what they cannot do alone. Through the power of their grassroots policy development process, Nebraska Farm Bureau remains the trusted voice for Nebraska farm and ranch families. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Farm Bureau's existence, and we congratulate the organization and all of its members on reaching this important milestone. We are excited for what the next 100 years have in store.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Gering High School, one of three national winners of the 2017 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest. The team of 19 Gering students took top honors out of thousands of entries and 10 national finalists. It is exciting to see young innovators from western Nebraska, especially my alma mater, recognized nationally for their ideas on how to advance agriculture. The students designed a drone-powered system to reduce herbicide quantity by allowing farmers to directly target specific areas rather than spraying entire fields. I applaud each of them for their hard work and the dedication they put into their winning project. Congratulations go to Curtis Anderson, Jonathan Blanco, Dakota Boles, Blake Brunner, Gabriele Castro, Cody Catron, Eric Crane, Jeremy Forella, Michael Haworth, Xavier Horst, Elexus Johnson, Kaiden Reinmuth, Trevor Satur, Tyler Smith, Joel Torres, Carson Wallace, Skylier Ward, Payton Welfl, Joshua Wilson, and their teacher, Mr. Justin Reinmuth.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I rise in memory of Ambassador Clayton Yeutter, a native of Eustis, Nebraska, who recently passed away after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Mr. Yeutter was a true statesman, who generously shared his time and expertise throughout his very remarkable career. On top of his numerous professional accomplishments, Mr. Yeutter was known as a humble, kind, and respected leader who never lost sight of his commitment to rural America. No one understood the importance of trade to American agriculture better than he did, and his work has benefited generations of, incidentally, Nebraska agriculture producers as well as others across the country. Mr. Yeutter grew up on a cattle and corn operation in central Nebraska during the Great Depression. He attended the University of Nebraska, where he earned a bachelor's degree in animal husbandry and, later, a juris doctorate and a Ph.D. in agricultural economics. After serving in the Air Force in the 1950s and returning home to work on his farm, he got his start in politics as chief of staff for Nebraska Governor Norbert Tiemann in the mid-1960s. Soon he was named director of the Nebraska Mission to Colombia, which led him to the USDA and decades of distinguished public service. His extensive resume included serving as U.S. Trade Representative under President Ronald Reagan and Agriculture Secretary under President George H.W. Bush. He also ran the Chicago Mercantile Exchange for 8 years and served as chairman of the Republican National Committee. As we mourn the loss of this influential Nebraskan, I extend my condolences to Mr. Yeutter's wife, Cristena, and his children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter as well. I yield to my colleague from Nebraska (Mr. Fortenberry).

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I can't say enough to honor such a true giant in public service as Secretary Yeutter, Ambassador Yeutter. The list goes on of his many titles, an incredible man, but his humility did so much for our country.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1628, the American Health Care Act of 2017. This legislation is the first step in a process to unravel ObamaCare's taxes and mandates and provide relief to the American people. To understand the extent of ObamaCare's failures and their impact on hardworking Americans and their families, just look at the rapid collapse of ObamaCare's Consumer-Operated and Oriented Plans, or CO- OPs. The story of these failed ObamaCare CO-OPs began in my home State of Nebraska, with the abrupt collapse of CoOportunity Health, which left 120,000 Nebraskans and Iowans without health insurance. I repeat: It left 120,000 Nebraskans and Iowans without health insurance. CoOportunity Health was the first ObamaCare CO-OP to collapse, but it wasn't long before 18 more followed suit, closing their doors and leaving hundreds of thousands more without health insurance. Only 4 of the 23 CO-OPs created under ObamaCare actually remain, and these remaining 4 will likely face the same fate as they continue to struggle with dire financial challenges. Americans were falsely promised, if they liked their insurance, they could keep it. After complying with ObamaCare's mandates, many Nebraskans could not even keep the insurance this law created. One of my constituents in western Nebraska, Pam, who is self- employed, lost her insurance four times under ObamaCare. Prior to ObamaCare's implementation, she had a plan she liked and that actually covered her preexisting condition. She was forced off of that original plan when ObamaCare began and then lost her coverage three more times through no fault of her own. For Pam and millions of others across the country, ObamaCare has severely limited options for affordable care. This is simply unsustainable. Constituents in rural districts like mine are being hit the hardest by ObamaCare's dwindling insurance markets. Because of ObamaCare, Nebraskans are down to only two insurers from which to choose, and other rural areas are down to only one or even zero providers on their exchanges. Adding insult to injury, according to the Obama administration's own report on the individual market, 2017 premiums in Nebraska increased by 51 percent.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, places like Oklahoma are experiencing premium increases of 69 percent, and it is only projected to get worse if we do not act. Doing nothing is certainly not an option. We must come together to rescue this rapidly collapsing healthcare system. Let's come together to do right by the American people. I urge passage of this bill.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of National Agriculture Week and the farmers and ranchers who have made Nebraska's Third District the top producing agriculture district in the country. One in four Nebraska jobs is tied to agriculture. The hard work and innovative practices of our producers have made our State a leader in feeding the world. For too long the heavy hand of the Federal Government has threatened agriculture's future. Thankfully, we have seen important victories under the Trump administration, including the beginning of the end for the EPA's dangerous waters of the U.S. rule, or WOTUS. Nebraska's farmers and ranchers are committed stewards of our natural resources and take many steps to keep our water resources clean. President Trump ordered a reset on WOTUS, agreeing farmers and ranchers deserve better than to have Washington bureaucrats controlling the water puddles and irrigation ditches on their land. As founder and co-chairman of the Modern Agriculture Caucus, I will continue to promote policies designed to get the government out of the way and open more markets around the world for Nebraska producers.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my home State of Nebraska on 150 years of Statehood. On March 1, 1867, Nebraska became the 37th State admitted to the Union. Today, as we celebrate this milestone 150 years later, we honor the legacies of the pioneers who took great risks and overcame countless obstacles in pursuit of opportunity. Our State's pioneer heritage has always inspired me. I am proud to be a fifth-generation resident of Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska. My family was part of the Homestead Movement, settling in western Nebraska and working as sugar beet laborers to build a bright future for generations to come. The pioneer spirit is still alive and well today, which is one of the many reasons the ``Good Life'' is such a great place to live. Nebraskans' work ethic is second to none. From the producers who have made the Third District the top-producing agriculture district in the country, to the small businesses which employ nearly half of Nebraska's workforce, productivity is a hallmark of our State. In addition to our pioneer spirit, Nebraskans are known for their kindness. I am proud of our State's reputation as ``Nebraska Nice'' and enjoy introducing my colleagues in Washington, D.C., to Nebraska visitors any chance I get. From Huskers football to world-class research facilities, from Runza to Dorothy Lynch, and from the Oregon Trail to the Homestead National Monument, there is an endless list of unique reasons for Nebraskans to be proud. I am honored to represent some 65,000 square miles of the Cornhusker State in Congress, and I will continue working every day to uphold our legacy of opportunity. In celebration of Nebraska's 150th birthday, it is only fitting to close in true Nebraska fashion: Go Big Red.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained because I was attending a meeting at the White House. Had I been present, I would have voted ``Yea'' on rollcall No. 103 and ``Yea'' on rollcall No. 104.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.J. Res. 42 disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to drug testing of unemployment compensation applicants. The goal of the 2012 bipartisan law signed by President Obama in February 2012 is to reassure employers who fund the unemployment compensation system that unemployment compensation claimants reentering the workforce are truly able and available for work. When I speak with employers in Nebraska's Third District, they express a strong desire to hire individuals in a way that is beneficial for both the employer and the employee. According to UWC, the national association representing businesses in the areas of unemployment compensation and workers' compensation: ``The regulations adopted in final form not only severely limited the circumstances under which a state may conduct a drug test, but also unduly limited the types of tests that a state would be permitted to conduct. . . .'' States, which are responsible for administration of the unemployment compensation program, are also concerned. Back in 2014, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker wrote to the Secretary of Labor saying: ``Providing States more flexibility in defining occupations that regularly conduct drug testing not only better serves the public interest, but recognizes the unique labor force and diversity in industry in each State.'' In recognition of the support we have received from employers who fund the system and States which administer it, I include in the Record their letters of support. February 10, 2017. Hon. Kevin Brady, Chairman, House Ways and Means Committee, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Brady: We write to you today in support of H.J. Res. 42, your legislation that would disapprove of the United States Department of Labor's recent regulation regarding states' ability to drug test individuals who apply for unemployment insurance (UI). Congress authorized the Labor Department to craft a rule that would provide states the option to drug test unemployment insurance applicants. Unfortunately, the Obama Administration drafted the rule too narrowly, undermining the intent of Congress and permitting drug testing in too few instances. Drug testing UI applicants can help individuals suffering from substance abuse to access necessary care and treatment so they may re-enter the workforce as healthy and productive members of society. We believe this rule should be replaced with a new rule that allows increased flexibility for states to implement UI drug testing that best fits the needs of each state. Thank you for introducing this important legislation and we look forward to working with Congress on this issue going forward. Sincerely, Scott Walker, Governor of Wisconsin. Gary R. Herbert, Governor of Utah. Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas. Phil Bryant, Governor of Mississippi.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, as Chairman Brady highlighted earlier, Members of this body have clearly stated their intent time and time again over the last few years through letters, hearings, public comments, and meetings. Yet, the Department of Labor has continued to push Congress' concerns to the side and legislate from the executive branch. Supporting this resolution means supporting the role of Congress to write laws and for them to be implemented as intended. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Walorski).

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Smith).

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I want to hopefully draw some attention to the fact that we have a problem on our hands. We have a problem with the Federal Government going too far, and we have a problem with the State governments coming to us as policymakers at the Federal level wanting to help their own constituents, their own citizens in need. Right now the Federal Government stands in the way. It is time for us as policymakers hopefully to act in a responsible fashion to assist States in their need and their desire to help their own citizens. States are better at that than is the Federal Government, and I hope that we can empower the States to help their own constituents. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Yoho).